The center will focus on coordinating public diplomacy efforts by enlisting a reservoir of 25,000 activists who have been trained by the Ministry for public diplomacy and to transmit messages in Israel and around the world.

Over the weekend in Doha, Syrian opposition figures reached an agreement to form a group called the National Coalition for Revolutionary Forces and the Syrian Opposition, amid calls from the United States and European and Gulf countries for a show of greater unity. This is another example of American soft power influence in the region.

New Delhi: More than 50 protestors under the banner of the Indian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (INCABI) Sunday demanded boycott of a musical production by the Israeli ensemble Cameri Theatre here because the theatre group allegedly serves as a propaganda tool for the state of Israel.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan dashed hopes for a normalisation of his country’s relations with Israel, on his return to Ankara from a state visit to Berlin Friday, after German Chancellor Angela Merkel directly appealed to him to reopen dialogue with the Jewish State.

During the tour Cameron will seek to revive relations with both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where the UK has significant business interests in the oil industry. In addition, Britain will also seek to peddle 100 Typhoon fighter jets to both nations in a deal worth a potential US$10 billion.

The US Department of State and the Association of American Voices is facilitating a unique musical program called American Music Abroad. The program works to implement Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s vision of “smart power”diplomacy

What are your impressions from Azerbaijan and what do you think about future of this country? Azerbaijan made impressive changes since I am back to the country 20 years later. Baku is a rich western city with all high live standards and variety of people.

America's public diplomats face the formidable challenge of undercutting radicals' support by helping improve the lives of the vast majority of Arabs. Their concerns are similar to those found elsewhere in the world: jobs, housing, education, health care, and the other basics of a decent life. Helping to build the foundation for that kind of life should be the driving force for American public diplomacy.